What is fair pay for a boat job in Ghana?

Alexander · 09 March 2012, 12:55

Hi everybody,

I am wondering what I should ask for a 2 - 3 weeks job in Ghana. They will cover all travel expenses including flight, hotel and food. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Alexander

Starovich · 09 March 2012, 13:39

id ask "when", and start packing

Anchorhandler · 09 March 2012, 14:23

After having worked out of Mauritania, Dakar and Nigeria i would think very carefully about accepting any work in West Africa.....
You beed to reassure yourself that your travel arrangements are safe and genuine and that you will be met at the airport by a rep or agent working for the company employing you.....

Ghana is not the worst country in WA for crime/corruption/kidnappings but its nit the best either....

Simon

hobbit555 · 09 March 2012, 18:37

I echo the above. Is it for oil if so, lots!!!

Alexander · 09 March 2012, 20:00

No oil work. My customer would be a European company selling a number of boats to a Ghana customer.

Will75 · 09 March 2012, 20:31

Have all the Madera boats been delivered now?

Anchorhandler · 09 March 2012, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexander

No oil work. My customer would be a European company selling a number of boats to a Ghana customer.

I used to travel back and forward to various airports in the aforementioned countries where i would normally get choppered out to either a rig or drill ship then craned down to my waiting supply boat or AHT vessel. All this funded and supported by major oil companies. Even knowing i had the protection of the oil companies behind me, i was still aprehensive about travelling down there....expecially on my own!

Usual protocol for European/American employers sending staff down to those parts is to use an agent who will look after the visitors until they safely reach their destination.

I would clear a few points with your employer first off even before you discuss pay with them....

-- Who will be meeting you at the airport and who will be escorting you around/back and forward to hotel? Agent?
-- where are you staying and how are to to get to your place of work each day, who arranges the transport (if needed)?
-- prepare for a lot of 'tipping' and in a lot of cases 'bribing' to get things done...corruption down there is widespread and you wont get a receipt for any money spent.....is your employer prepared to pay you this baclk? If your looked after by an agent then he will deal with most of this.

Be suspicious of most things your offered and use common sense, walking around carrying a laptop bag, wearing a Musto jacket and nice watch is not to be recommended....

I have never worked in Ghana so may be painting a worse picture than needed however the mentality in Mauritania, Senegal and Nigeria was pretty similar so i would imagine Ghana's not too far off.

If your confident that your going to be safe when down there then enjoy it, you'le certainly have some stories to tell at the pub when you get home

.

Simon

Rogue Wave · 07 April 2012, 12:43

The post above is probably the best advice anybody has given in this section, learn well and stay safe!

wellhouse · 07 April 2012, 13:46

i lived all over west africa for many years and anchor handler has hit it spot on, where in ghana will you be working? pm your number if you want a chat

gohelm · 09 April 2012, 20:59

I Have been involved in tanker chartering, involving the ports of tema and takoradi, i concur with what anchorhandler is describing (very precisely and accurately!!) seems to be also practice at that part of wafrican coast. If the boats are to be delivered via any customs office and you need to 'wait' for them? Be sure to have pencilled in some extra time in the contract your employer since that (customs clearance) seems to take ages (at least that is the case trying to deliver spareparts to tema, no reason to assume otherwise in this case) - is your employer 'experienced' on west africa dealings?

Alexander · 10 April 2012, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by gohelm

... is your employer 'experienced' on west africa dealings?

They do business there for about 40 years. The CEO lived in Ghana for 25 years.

I found the advice from this forum most helpful. I will not go before the equipment is in place and all official stuff done. The job is due late autumn anyway.

Special thanks to Anchorhandler.

Anchorhandler · 11 April 2012, 08:37

Quote:

Special thanks to Anchorhandler

.

Your welcome....

to be fair, there are some stunningly beutiful places along the west African coast especially when you distance yourself from the masses.

Some of the most unspoilt beaches can be found only a short distance from some of the most densly populated and poluted cities.

I've had the pleasure of watching sea turtles swim alongside us, sharks hunt for their dinner, roaming around us while we've been anchored, massive tuna shoals and countless other species of wildlife you would never get yo see in Europe. Also seen some horrendous poverty and crime but the good does outway the bad......just.

Time permitting, i'l dig out some old photo's and post them as a taster...

I dont regret the time i spent down there.....(now that im not going there anymore

) but now that im older (and supposedly wiser) I would think twice about doing it all again.

Stay safe

Simon

Anchorhandler · 11 April 2012, 08:38

Quote:

Special thanks to Anchorhandler

.

Your welcome....

to be fair, there are some stunningly beutiful places along the west African coast especially when you distance yourself from the masses.

Some of the most unspoilt beaches can be found only a short distance from some of the most densly populated and poluted cities.

I've had the pleasure of watching sea turtles swim alongside us, sharks hunt for their dinner, roaming around us while we've been anchored, massive tuna shoals and countless other species of wildlife you would never get yo see in Europe. Also seen some horrendous poverty and crime but the good does outway the bad......just.

Time permitting, i'l dig out some old photo's and post them as a taster...

I dont regret the time i spent down there.....(now that im not going there anymore

) but now that im older (and supposedly wiser) I would think twice about doing it all again.

Stay safe

Simon

boristhebold · 11 April 2012, 09:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexander

Hi everybody,

I am wondering what I should ask for a 2 - 3 weeks job in Ghana. They will cover all travel expenses including flight, hotel and food. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Alexander

Be very carefull, there are a lot of scams coming from that country to do with employment, be wary if they ask for a lot of personal details or ask for a payment to cover visa requirements etc. Have a search on google for recruitment scams and Ghana.

If you think about it the first thing that strikes me is why don't they have someone in country who can do this particular job ? Why do they want someone from overseas ? Think about the difference in costs of a national doing it or paying for your flight etc etc. It sounds a little iffy. It may be legit but be carefull do some homework.